Night vision system

ABSTRACT

A night vision system having one or more pods to permit a user to see in reduced light or evening conditions. The night vision system can include one or more pod(s) and the pod(s) can be actuatable between an “up” position and an active “down” position, wherein the pod is automatically powered and controlled when in the active position. A wearable power and/or control pack is further described, as is the use of an interpupillary stop feature.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems used to permit users to see inevening, night, and low light conditions. In some embodiments, thedisclosure relates to night vision systems that are adapted and/orconfigured to be worn on or secured to a user's head or helmet.

BACKGROUND

Night vision systems have been in use since World War II, but have seenmore interest and use from civilians with increased availability ofrecreational, sport, and entertainment activities that can be conductedat night. Night vision systems can come in many different varieties,styles, and mounts. Night vision systems that are worn on a user's heador helmet must be lightweight and appropriately configured to provideease of use and prevent instability during use. This is particularlytrue in a military or law enforcement application where the user'ssafety and life are at risk. Rapid effective ergonomic use and low eightare critical in scenarios requiring low thought, high dexterity, ease ofuse, and long term use with low fatigue.

SUMMARY

As shown and described herein, this disclosure describes and illustratesimprovements to night vision systems. Some improvements disclosed hereininclude customizable pod actuation and features that increase stabilityof the night vision system when worn on a user's head or helmet. By wayof example, the present disclosure describes a counterweight power orcontrol pack that can be worn on or attached to a user's head, with saidcounterweight pack providing stability that minimizes inertialdisturbances during movement. The improvements and inventions discussedherein provide a better user experience and increase enjoyment and useof the night vision systems.

Additional advantages and details are also described herein withreference to the provided drawings. Some embodiments of night visionsystems may incorporate only one of the improvements discussed herein,while other embodiments may include a combination of such improvements.Embodiments of the night vision system are not restricted to theexamples illustrated in the drawings, as, due to the number of possibleembodiments, only some embodiments can be shown in the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure below is made with reference to the drawings, in which,

FIG. 1 is a top, right, and rear perspective view of an embodiment of anight vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position;

FIG. 2 is a top, right, and front perspective view of an embodiment of anight vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in anarticulated “up” position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in anarticulated “down” position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus inan articulated “up” position;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus inan articulated “down” position;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatusin an articulated “down” position;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatusin an articulated “up” position;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a night vision apparatus in an articulated“down” position;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus inan articulated “up” position;

FIG. 11 is a bottom, left, and rear perspective view of an embodiment ofa night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position;

FIG. 12 is a rear and top perspective view of a power assembly to beused with an embodiment of a night vision;

FIG. 13 is a semi-exploded perspective view of the power assembly shownin FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the power assembly shown in FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the power assembly shown in FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the power assembly shown in FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus inan articulated “down” position; and

FIG. 18 is close-up view of a portion of the night vision apparatusshown in FIG. 17 ;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Night vision systems can include one or more different types of imagingtechnologies, including image enhancement/amplification and/or thermalimaging apparatus. The night vision systems discussed herein can amplifyincoming visible light and/or use infrared sensors to detect differencesin object temperatures. In some embodiments, the night vision systemsmay be configured with different modes that utilize different imagingtechnologies to provide users with multiple technology choices to beused by the same system.

One embodiment of a night vision system is exemplarity shown in theperspective views of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . With reference to FIG. 1 , thenight vision system 10 can include a housing, generally designated withreference numeral 20. As shown by the differentiation between FIG. 1 ,and FIG. 2 , the housing 20 can be capable of articulation. In anembodiment, the housing 20 can be articulated between at least twopositions, exemplarily shown as the first position, or “up” position,shown in FIG. 1 and the second position, or “down” position, shown inFIG. 2 . Herein, references to “up” and “down” positions are forillustrative purposes only and convenience of the reader. By way ofconvenience, it is generally understood that rotation into the “down”position is the functional equivalent to rotating into the activeviewing position.

The housing 20 of the night vision system 10 can include one or morepods 30, which may also be known as image tube housings 30. Although itis generally desirable to rotate both pods into the same position (e.g.both in the “down” active viewing position) for use with both eye, eachof the pods is configured to rotate or actuate independently of anotherpod 30, such that a user may use only one eye if desirable. By way ofone illustrate example, a user may utilize a night vision system 10 thatincludes two pods 30 that utilize different night vision technologies,and said user may wish to utilize only one technology available in onepod, which independent pod actuation will permit. The pods 30 mayrequire power, as discussed below, and can be configured to receivepower upon rotation into the active viewing position. By way of example,in an embodiment, the pod 30 can include a magnet 310 (FIG. 17 ) thatcan cooperate with a reed switch located elsewhere on or in the housing20, such that, with actuation of the pod 30 into the active viewingposition, the magnet is brought within close proximity of the reedswitch such that the circuit is completed, and power is provided to thepod 30 and components thereof. By way of example, in one embodiment, thecorresponding reed switch can be located within the bridge 40, discussedbelow. Alternatively, a magnet may be located in the bridge 40 and areed switch may be disposed in a pod 30 to achieve the same completedcircuit effect when the pod 30 is actuated into the active viewingposition.

As shown in the various figures, the night vision system 10 can includeabridge generally shown as reference numeral 40. The bridge 40 isdisposed between and connects two pods 30, wherein each of the pods 30may be identical or different, as exemplarily discussed above. Thebridge 40 also provides a means of attachment to a user's helmet.Specifically, the night vision system 10 can be attached to a user'shelmet by way of a mounting interface or helmet mount 50 located on thetop of bridge 40. The helmet mount 50 can be shaped, configured, orarranged to facilitate cooperation with user's intended helmet and thegeometry and features of the helmet mount shown in the figures are notnecessarily meant to be limiting. The helmet mount 50 may include athreaded bore, dovetail interface, ball mount, rail or other means bywhich to attach or engage with a corresponding connector on the user'shelmet to securedly attach the night vision system 10 to the user'shelmet (not shown).

Referring again to pods 30, the night vision system 10 can include podretention flanges 60 and 70 to secure and retain the pods 30 on thenight vision system 10. Each of the pods 30 can also include anobjective lens 80. The objective lens 80 is configured to capture lightreceived from the surroundings, which is then transmitted to an imageintensifier tube within the pod 30, wherein the light is amplified as isunderstood in the art. The pods 30 can include an objective lens stopring 90 to limit travel of the objective lens within the travel whereinthe objective lens reaches focus. Each of the pods may also include anocular lens assembly 100, with which a user interacts in order viewthrough the night vision system 20. In some embodiments, the ocular lensassembly 100 may be capable of magnifying and/or focusing the image forthe user to view.

Additional views of the night vision system 10 and housing 20 are shownin FIG. 3 (top view, articulated up); FIG. 4 (top view, articulateddown); FIG. 5 (bottom view, articulated up); FIG. 6 (bottom view,articulated down); FIG. 7 (left side view, articulated down); FIG. 8(left side, articulated up); FIG. 9 (front view, articulated down); andFIG. 10 (front view, articulated up).

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , the bottom of the housing 20 caninclude a bottom surface designated generally by reference numeral 110.The bottom surface can include a recess or receptacle 120, which isconfigured to receive a power and/or control connector within thereceptacle bore 130. As shown in FIG. 11 , a connector 140 may beremovably disposed within the receptacle 120 located on the bottom ofthe housing 20. The connector 140 may be further coupled to a cable 150,where said cable may extend to a battery and/or control pack 200,discussed below.

The connector 140 can have 1 to 20 pins. In an embodiment, the connector140 includes 4 to 6 pins. The connector 140 can serve as an interfacebetween the receptable 120 and cable 150, wherein connector 140facilitates power and/or control of various features of the night visionapparatus, including but not limited to variable gain control, screenbrightness, sensor sensitivity, output level, illumination on/off,illumination brightness/intensity, main power supply on/off, auxiliarypower supply on/off, screen output options, screen color, heads updisplay options, device settings, etc.

In some embodiments, the battery and/or control pack 200 may not beconnected to the housing 20 in a tethered manner, such that cable 150may be removable or may not exist on some embodiments. In suchembodiments, connector 140 and receptacle 120 may also have differentgeometries to accommodate and incorporate a wireless or Bluetooth dongleor connector that can provide remote control to the night visionapparatus 10.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , the night vision system may include a batteryand/or control pack 200 that can be utilized with the housing 20. In anembodiment, the pack 200 is designed to be worn on the rear of a user'shead, such that the rear side shown in FIG. 12 is facing the user'srear. Accordingly, the curvature of the pack 200 can be configured to“hug” or mimic the rounded features of the back of the user's head, topermit comfortable and efficient mounting. In some embodiments, the pack200 may also include one or more straps, adhesive, or other connectingmeans (not shown).

Referring now to the semi-exploded view of FIG. 13 , the pack 200 caninclude an upper pack housing 210 and a lower pack housing 220. Theupper pack housing 210 and lower pack housing 220 can be securedly andreleasably attached to one another by way of a fastening or connectingmechanism, such as a bolt, screw, or pin. In FIG. 13 , the fasteningmechanism includes a gear-shaped knob 230 disposed adjacent to the upperpack housing 210 and a shaft 240 disposed within the lower pack housing220, such that the knob 230 and shaft 240 mate and knob 230 rotates,thereby connecting the upper pack housing 210 to the lower pack housing220.

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 13 , one or more batteries 250 can bedisposed between the upper pack housing 210 and the lower pack housing220. The barriers 250 can be one or more of various types, includingCR123A, AA, AAA, 18350, 16350 or rechargeable (e.g. lithium). In anembodiment of the night vision system 10, the batteries 250 supplybetween 1 and 6 volts of power. This power can be utilized by the packto power remote control functions or can be transmitted via the cable150 (in embodiments having said cable 150) to the housing 20 to powercomponents within and/or on the housing 20. As also seen in FIG. 13 ,the housing can include indicia 260 (e.g. plus or positive signs) toassist the user with proper orientation of the batteries within thehousing.

In an embodiment, the pack 200 can control the resistance value of anauxiliary input/output from the attached cable 150. An analogpotentiometer or digital controller can be integrated into the body ofthe pack 150 to adjust resistance. The pack 200 can include one or moreswitches 270, 280 to control main output power supply and/or secondaryand/or tertiary auxillary power outputs and controls. In someembodiments, the pack 200 may include no switches, one switch, twoswitches, or more than two switches. The switches 270, 280 can beconfigured to control variable gain control, screen brightness, sensorsensitivity, output level, illumination on/off, illuminationbrightness/intensity, main power supply on/off, auxiliary power supplyon/off, screen output options, screen color, heads up display options,device settings, etc. The switches 270 and 280 can be provided in one ofseveral form factors, including the knobs shown in FIG. 12 . Theswitches 270 and 280 need not necessarily have the same form factor.

FIG. 14 (side view), FIG. 15 (rear view), and FIG. 16 (top view) showalternate views of the pack 200, including the arcuate surface orcurvature designed to cooperate comfortably with the rear of the user'shead. As discussed above, not all embodiments include the cable 150 andthese views similarly can incorporate a removable cable 150 or the cable150 can be excepted from the embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , embodiments of the night visionsystem 20 can include features to quickly and efficiently accommodatevarious user's interpupillary distance, or the distance between theuser's eyes (pupils) and the binocular optic components of someembodiments of the night vision system 10. If the interpupillarydistance is not properly set, the user will experience distorted imageswhen utilizing the system 10.

As shown in FIG. 17 , embodiments of the night vision apparatus 10include an interpupillary feature generally shown as reference numeral300. The interpupillary feature 300 can be located near the magnet 310located in the pods 30 and/or located near the purge port and screw 320.The interpupillary feature can include primarily three components to setthe interpupillary distance: a stop feature 330, a rotatinginterpupillary disk 340, and a tensioning screw 350. The stop feature330 can include a raised surface, protrusion or nub. The rotatinginterpupillary disk 340 is configured to rotate with and when therespective pod 30 is rotated towards the up or down positions. Thetensioning screw 350 is configured to retain the rotating interpupillarydisk 340.

In practice, rotation of the pod 30 to the down position causes theinterpupillary disk 340 to rotate about its central axis. Upon fulldesired rotation, the interpupillary disk 340 contacts and is stopped bystop feature 330, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 . As a result, thepods 30 cannot be rotated further downward without significantlyincreased force, and the distance between such pods is therefore set toa reproducible distance. The tensioning screw 350 can be tightened orloosened to modify the amount of required force to be applied to rotatethe interpupillary disk to the desired stop point. The tensioning screw350 can also be tightened or loosened to change the amount of forceneeded to rotate in the opposite direction when the pods are actuated tothe “up” position in order to reset them.

Although not necessarily fully illustrated in the specific embodimentsshown in the figures attached hereto, embodiments of the night visionapparatus referenced in this disclosure can include monocular,binocular, biocular, triocular, trinocular, quadocular, or quadnocularsystems.

Embodiments described herein may be combined in a novel and inventiveway to provide advantages that were not previously observed in the art.This disclosure should not necessarily be interpreted to be limited toonly the embodiments shown and described, as embodiments described mayappear differently than as shown, and drawings shown may be understooddifferently than as described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A night vision system comprising: a power andcontrol pack having an arcuate curvature and configured to provide poweroutput and control function.